“It will be amazing. It will be one of the best experiences that I have in my life,” Contreras said Saturday at Fenway South, a day before the Red Sox’ first full-squad workout.

Contreras passed on the WBC in 2017 because he had just debuted in MLB the previous season and didn’t want to leave Cubs camp. He skipped it in 2023, too, because he had just signed with the Cardinals and, as a catcher still, wanted a full spring training to learn the pitching staff.

Get Starting Point

A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday.

“Playing for Venezuela, with my brother, is one thing that we were looking for[ward to],” Contreras said. “This is the first time in the WBC. It means a lot for me and my family and I’m looking forward to having fun and trying to do my best for my country.”

Contreras is important to his actual team, too. He is a de facto lineup replacement for Alex Bregman, with manager Alex Cora describing them as “very similar” righthanded hitters who are plenty strong enough to target the Green Monster.

With an emphasis on defense — more so than usual, given the importance placed on those skills by the front office when making recent personnel moves — Contreras will occupy an important role at first base.

Last season was his first after converting from catcher — and he seemed to do pretty well. Out of 18 qualified first basemen, Contreras was tied for third with six outs above average. He credited that smooth transition to a commitment to work and to the philosophy of “no stupid questions,” plus instruction from Cardinals infield coach Stubby Clapp.

And then there were the interactions with Hall of Fame shortstop Ozzie Smith, a 13-time Gold Glover.

“He showed up a couple of times during my workouts [last spring training] and explained some of the angles, some of the stuff and I asked him a lot of questions, and that helped a lot,” Contreras said. “You need to listen. If you don’t listen to that guy, you’re playing the wrong sport.”

Big Bennett’s first impression

Among those making a strong impression in the first days of spring training: lefthanded pitching prospect Jake Bennett, a 6-foot-6-inch trade acquisition from the Nationals.

He drew heavy praise from Roman Anthony and Carlos Narváez after facing them Saturday. Anthony was particularly impressed with what he called a “gross” sinker. But Bennett liked his changeup, which he tried a new grip for just a couple of days prior, even more.

“Definitely had some more depth,” said Bennett, a starter who reached Double A last year.

Cora said: “Bennett looked really good. … Obviously, still has some growth physically. Stuff-wise, he’s good.”

ABS instructional on agenda

The Red Sox held a morning meeting to reach pitchers and catchers about ABS, the automatic ball-strike challenge system new to the majors this year. They went over the rules and how the system works and looks, Cora said.

“We’re not in the business of begging for pitches. We have to get it right,” he said. “And there’s a method and there’s strategy with it. Shame on us if we don’t have a challenge late in the game or two of them.

“We have to learn. We don’t have too much experience with it. We didn’t have it last year in spring training. Obviously, some guys in Triple A did and we’re trying to get feedback. But it’s a work in progress. The analytics department is doing an amazing job putting [together] presentations and explaining to us how it works. And hopefully we’re on the top tier of challenges that we get right.”

Cora touts Rafaela for power surge

Contreras highlighted center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela as one of the young Red Sox who can hit for more power. Cora’s take? “If we don’t chase that much,” he said. “We know there is more, and he knows it, too.” … First baseman Triston Casas is not participating in group workouts, still rehabbing his left knee injury. But apparently it’s going very well. “Nobody thought I would be where I’m at right now,” he said … Cora on the Sox’ catching situation: “Carlos [Narváez] has earned the right to be the starter and we’ll take it from there.”

The Patriots lose Super Bowl LX to the Seahawks in a beatdown by the Bay. Boston Globe Sports Report is live from San Francisco to break everything down.

Tim Healey can be reached at timothy.healey@globe.com. Follow him @timbhealey.